Tag: association

On April 4, the South Carolina Home Care and Hospice Association hosted its second annual Legislative and Advocacy Day. This year, a record-breaking total of nearly 50 advocates gathered in South Carolina’s state capitol for a day of meaningful and heartfelt advocacy. Advocates, which included two home care clients, walked the halls with a clear message: Investing in the state’s Medicaid Waiver programs will save the state money and keep medically fragile children, disabled adults, and seniors home with their loved ones and out of higher cost facilities.

With their passionate message in hand, advocates spoke with over 50 legislators about the importance of home care. The highlight of the day was the recognition the home care advocates received on the house floor by Speaker Pro Tempore Representative Tommy Pope!

Advocates were inspired by the impact they made that day. Below, please find several quotes and pictures submitted by our advocates.

“It was an honor to participate in this year’s Advocacy and Legislative Day, to be a part of such an impactful team, and especially to bring my two boys with special needs to the event. It was a wonderful to be able show the representatives firsthand why we need higher Medicaid reimbursement rates in South Carolina.”

-Haley Keisler

Dan Noel, Jen Collier, Rep. Bruce Bryant, and Amy Ramey.

“Speaking with legislators about the need for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates in South Carolina was an amazing experience. We had a great turnout and I was especially pleased with all the love our fellow advocates gave us; their support was energizing– what a great group of people!” -Amy Ramey

“It was overwhelming to see so many people come together for a common goal. We advocated for something so important and I am so proud to have been a part of that!” -Jennifer Collier

“This was my first Legislative Day and it certainly will not be my last. It was truly remarkable for all of us to come together from different BAYADA backgrounds to make this day a success. I look forward to advocating for my company and my state in the future!”

-Jaime Bennett

Nicole Lugo, Nancy Mace, and Lee Dobson.

“It was encouraging to see the growth of our advocacy group over one year and it is clear that Hearts for Home Care has the opportunity to be the biggest voice for home care in South Carolina.”

-Nicole Lugo

Louise Lindenmeier, Rep. Leon Howard, and Tim Peterkin.

“It was truly a pleasure to connect with our South Carolina legislators to explain how our services can keep their constituents at home, explain the cost savings of home care versus hospitals and facilities, and connect legislators with our purpose and mission.”

“The South Carolina Legislative Day was a great opportunity to meet with legislators and talk to them about the importance of investing in home care… I can’t wait to see the impact that we have on laws affecting home care!” -Foster Krebs

“Over the course of the day I felt a strong sense of comradery, pride, and support when—no matter where I looked—I saw a colleague dressed in their finest red! It was great to be a part of something bigger than myself by advocating for those who need it most.”

-Dominic Molin

Dave Totaro, Rep. Katherine Arrington, and Laura Jaycox.

“Legislative Day made it possible to get involved and support home care even though I had no prior experience. I enjoyed meeting everyone and learned so much. Thank you so much to my fellow advocates for all of your knowledge and support!”

-Laura Jaycox

THANK YOU to all of our advocates that participated in 2018’s Legislative and Advocacy Day!

Last week, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) and I met with House Public Health Chairman Matt Baker to discuss the best path forward regarding our legislation, which begins to equalize access to presumptive eligibility. During the discussion, we considered potential bill sponsors, a potential legislative hearing, and potential today blocks. The bill language will now go to the Legislative Reference Bureau for approval and formatting. This is the final step before a co-sponsor memo is released and we can activate our advocates and ask for legislative sponsors. More updates coming soon.

Submitted by Shannon Gahs, Associate Director, DE Government Affairs (GAO)

Following compelling testimony by clients Nancy and Christopher Lemus, Delaware Association for Home and Community-based Care (DAHCC) President Bob Bird, Delaware Pediatrics (DP) Associate Director Mandy Brady, and myself, the House Health & Human Development Committee passed a bill that would set a minimum reimbursement rate paid by Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to home health care providers for skilled nursing services. Representatives asked probing questions, sparking true debate over the measure. The vote was 10-0 with 4 additional members absent. The bill must still pass the full House, the Senate Health, Children & Social Services Committee, and the full Senate. The legislature closes on June 30. If this bill passes, MCOs would not be able to pay any less than the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) pays for the same care, giving DHSS the ability to ensure access to needed services.

Last week, during the Pennsylvania Homecare Association Annual Conference, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Jen Burnett announced Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will be required to reimburse providers at least the state posted fee-for-service reimbursement rate for personal assistant services. This “rate floor” will be in effect for the first 36 months post transition of each region. After the announcement, I had the opportunity to speak with Deputy Secretary Burnett, and she stated the reason OLTL made that decision was to provide stability for providers. During our conversation, I asked that her office consider extending the temporary rate floor to registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) services as well for the same reason. She invited us to meet with her formally to discuss. BAYADA’s Government Affairs Office (GAO) will work to set up a meeting with OLTL to lobby for the inclusion of RN and LPN services in the 36-month rate floor.

As you know, April 25th is Lobby Day in Harrisburg with the Pennsylvania Homecare Association.

To magnify our impact, we are asking that all staff, especially those unable to be in Harrisburg in person contact their State Representative and State Senator between April 26th and April 28th and ask them to support our issues.

Our message is simple.

“On Tuesday, April 25th my colleagues came to Harrisburg to discuss a variety of issues impacting home care. Home care is a 24/7 job and I was unable to join my colleagues because I was assisting Pennsylvanians receive the quality, cost-effective home care they need.”

We have created an easy template with additional information for you to follow. Please take two minutes to call or email your legislators to urge them to support BAYADA and PHA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of our clients and the staff who care for them.

Each year the PA Department of Aging and the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) request nominations for the Direct Care Worker (DCW) of the Year. The DCW is an individual who goes above and beyond in their work and provides essential services to older Pennsylvanians and disabled adults.

This year there were over 160 nominations. BAYADA nominated 21 aides from our offices.

The award was given at PHA’s Direct Care Worker Forum in Harrisburg. Each aide that was nominated was invited to attend. The day consisted of professional development, a motivational speaker and a DCW survey on the challenges of the profession.

Towards the end of the event PA Department of Aging Secretary named BAYADA Philadelphia Corporation of Aging –West Home Health Aide Anne Pannone as the DCW of the year.

Anne will be recognized again at the PHA Annual Conference in the Poconos.

GAO, working collaboratively with the Association for Home & Hospice Care (AHHC) and Matt Wolfe, AHHC’s legal counsel, continues to work with Medicaid Director Dave Richard and key lawmakers, including Senators Ralph Hise and Tommy Tucker, and Representatives Nelson Dollar and Josh Dobson to resolve a technical issue with the retroactive rate increase for CAP-C nursing. As you may recall the General Assembly appropriated funds last session to increase the nursing rate by 10% effective July 1, 2016. The Department is supportive and is seeking a solution with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). GAO will keep you informed as things develop.

Certificate of Need (CON) under Attack In the course of 48 hours 4 bills related to CON were filed to either eliminate or modify CON law. As any changes to CON will negatively impact our existing Medicare offices, our GAO Advisory Council identified protection of CON as a 2017 legislative goal. GAO continues to meet with the various bill sponsors to educate them the negative impact such changes would have on the home health industry. We continue to work behind-the-scenes to prevent their enactment.

Medicaid Reform under Review While the Medicaid Reform 1115 c Waiver application is being reviewed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), there is discussion of a new model emerging from Governor Roy Cooper’s office in conjunction with the General Assembly. GAO continues to work with legislative leaders and the department to ensure quality access to care exists in whatever model emerges.

Trillium LME/MCO Proposed CAP-C/DA Pilot Senator Michael Lee sponsored a bill to allow Trillium Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO), a managed mental health, substance use and intellectual/developmental disability payor, to administer a CAP-C/DA pilot in the coastal area. Analysis of the bill indicates this pilot would have a negative impact on recipients. GAO is working with the bill sponsor to explain the pitfalls of moving coastal recipients into a pilot when these individuals are currently transitioning into a new waiver.

Opioid Bill’s Unintended Consequence Representative Gregory Murphy sponsored a bill to tighten opioid prescriptions. While we support increased oversight for misuse of prescriptions drugs, the bills language, in its current state, will create a safe-haven for pillpushers. AHHC is taking the lead to work with the bill sponsor to modify the language to eliminate the loop-hole and craft a meaningful bill, as intended.

GAO has been working collaboratively with the Association for Home & Hospice Care (AHHC) laying the groundwork for an increase this legislative session. As approved by our GAO Advisory Council, we are seeking to increase the aide rate under 3 programs and 2 settings from $13.88 to $17.00, over a 2-year period ($15.50 and $17.00). Substantive conversations with key lawmakers are gaining traction. This increase is a huge lift at $23.9M each year. Our legislative day, scheduled for May 17, will focus on garnering broad support for this much needed increase. Legislative Day registration is coming soon.

Last week, two Hearts for Home Care Ambassadors represented BAYADA at Governor Henry McMaster’s Inauguration Ball as part of a contingent from the South Carolina Association for Home & Hospice Care (SCAHHC), a Platinum sponsor. Division Director Melissa Allman and Director Stephanie Black participated in a private reception, as well as the dinner. With BAYADA’s commitment to the state and its recent expansion, this was a great opportunity to begin building relationships with lawmakers and show support to the 117th Governor. Other SCAHHC attendees included David and Rayna Powell of Hospice Care of South Carolina and Kevin McHugh and April Mills of Embrace Hospice. Both Melissa and Stephanie reported it was a great evening and well worth the effort. They both would definitely do it again!